NELSPRUIT - An incident regarding a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted and raped in Witbank in the past week, has sent a shocking wave in the society.

The incident was vehemently condemned by the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela but the General also applauded members for the arrest of a 28-year-old male who was earlier held up by the police from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for questioning.

The suspect was charged with abduction as well as four counts of rape yesterday, Monday, 18 July 2022 and appeared in the Emalahleni Magistrate's Court today, Tuesday, 19 July 2022 where his case was postponed to 02 August 2022 for a formal bail hearing meanwhile he was remanded in custody. The investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further came out strong on perpetrators of Gender-Based-Violence. "A situation whereby women suffer violence under the hands of men who treat and regard women as objects will never be tolerated. The law should deal decisively with such perpetrators without fear or favour" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service